Running a K-9 unit during lean economic times can be a difficult trick.

That’s why some departments across the country have done away with their dogs and now have to request K-9 units from nearby departments.

For example, The Westmont, Ill., Police Department ended its program in 2009 when its lone dog retired. The department entered into a mutual aid program with neighboring Oak Brook Police Department to use its canines. As with other mutual aid requests, there is no cost to the department if a K-9 unit is brought in from another jurisdiction.

Delaware police agencies have mutual aid requests with other departments’ K-9 units, but these specialized units do not seem to be disappearing like they have in other states. In spite of that, Delaware police are not shy about calling for another police department’s K-9 unit, especially if they don’t have their units nearby.

“If we have a robbery and we need a track and we don’t have a dog available nearby, we’ll request a dog from another agency – we either get one from the county or the city,” State police spokesman Sgt. Paul Shavack said. “The county is similar, if the county had something going on where they needed tracking and they don’t have a dog available they’ll [reach out] to us to see if we have one available in the area and request it.”

Wilmington, which has had to deal with its own financial woes, has not decreased the size of its K-9 unit. Instead, the city committed to keeping 12 dogs at a cost of $50,400 this budget year. This includes purchasing an 18-month-old German Shepherd named Neo to replace a dog that retired. (Wilmington police’s budget is more than $50 million.)

“The support from Chief [Mike] Szczerba has helped this unit achieve national certification and become highly recognized,” said Master Sgt. William McGillan, who supervises Wilmington’s unit. “I think that we are the best K9 unit in the area and the tax payers of Wilmington should be proud of their investment.”